A multimillion-dollar project along the Wexford Flats section of Route 19 will not only improve traffic, but also provide an economic boost to the region, officials said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.

"When this project is completed, it will have one of the most modern traffic signal systems, really, in the region,” said PennDOT District 11 executive Dan Cessna.

The $21 million improvement project began in March 2011 with the widening of Route 19 from 42 to 63 feet.

The new five-lane configuration was opened to traffic on Nov. 6, but a northbound lane closure will still be in effect to allow for work on sidewalks, paving and other improvements. The project is expected to wrap up in the spring, PennDOT said.

Gov. Tom Corbett said the transportation improvements will have a direct impact on strengthening the local economy by attracting businesses to move to the area.

"We hope to become the location for the first ethane processing plant ever built in the northeast -- a multibillion-dollar investment -- and that plant could mean, will mean, tens of thousands of jobs,” he said.

Corbett said the state is in the middle of its largest energy boom in more than 150 years and he wants to make it easier for businesses to get PennDOT permits.

On an average day, about 28,000 vehicles use the roadway, according to PennDOT, but there were nearly 400 accidents reported in the area from 2005 to 2009.

“We're not leaving here until we get the Wexford Flats improved. We've got to make this a better road and a safer road for our region,” said state Rep. Mike Turzai.

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